The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-10

how. She and John stayed with father
and mother while I was sroaming, here
and there. Now they are all gone,
Martha's alone, and it's no more than
right for me to look out for her awhile.
I'll write Immediately"
Yes, Nathan, that is right I know,
had horror Of old maids" and Mrs.
Tracy looked nervously around the plain
kitchen of the little farmhouse.
"You needn't be afraid of Martha she
isn't very old, and venture to say, none
of the trying, disagreeable old maids we
read Of"
In spite OF his reassuriug words, Mrs.
Tracy dreaded the arrival of her hus-
bands maiden sister, whom he had not
seen since the day he left his New Eng
land hor.,e to try his fortune in the new
West.
But, as Clara soon discovered, there
was nothing to fear in tho quiet, sad-faced
woman who came to them, whose life
had been so full of devotion to others,
and noble selfsacri6ce, that there had
been no time for growing hard and bitter,
because some of life's sweetest blessings
had been denied her.
The children, B t and Mabel and baby
Ray, with the unerring instinct of child
hood, felt the depth Of her quiet kindli-
ness, and took her at once into their low
ioy lit e hearts.
Miss Tracy, although, wholly unobtru-
sive, was observant. This, together with
the interest she felt in her brothers fam
lily, led her, before she had been many
weeks an inmate of his house, to make a
discovery.
Nathan, in his desire to get on in the
world, was missing much that would have
made life pleasant. In thinking so con-
SANITY of the future, he was losing all the
sweetness of the present. That this was
affecting the whole family was only too
apparent. 1t was seen in Clara's anxious,
weary face, and repeated in less degree
upon the coun:enances of their children.
There seemed to be no rest for any of
them. No relaxation in the struggle for
existence. Nothing TO vary the wearing
monotony of everyday labor, which, like
some huge Juggernaut, was crushing be-
meath its wheels all that might have made
life sweet and pleasant. Martha shrank
from interference with the habits of her
brothers family; but looking ahead, she
saw for them nothing but sorrow and dis
appointment, and felt that something
must be done to save them.
Watching for an opportunity to talk
alone with Nathan, she gladly accepted
his invitation, one morning, TO ride with
him to town.
They were rolling rapidly over the level
prairie, when Martha broke the silence.
I" 1t is truly exhilarating to ride in this
bracing air, over these fine roads, es-
pecially with 80 nice rig as you call
it. The buggy is easy and the horses
really fine animals. You must be doing
Well NOW, N~sh~-..n-
Il suppose l am, Martha but it has
been hard pull, with losing crops, sick
ness, &C. We're in debt yet, but with
hard work and economy guess we can
make it in another year."
"Then what will come next %
Il intend to have nice, large barn and
some choice cattle; then l shall build
good house and prepare to take comfort.
There isn't better farm than mine for
miles arodnd, and / must make the best
improvement possible. Then, some day,
we'll have the best of everything"
But who will share it with you %
"Why my family, of course" opening
his eyes wide with astonishment.
Cali except Clara, you mean," solemn
"Why, Martha, how you talk? 1t is
for her Pm working-who else I'd like
to know p
"Now Nathan just take a few plain
words from your sister, who means only
kindness. Pve had experience, and in
my judgment, Clara hasn't vitality enough
to take her through another year of hard
work. II have your interests at heart, and
would not needlessly arouse your fears
but | am convinced that your wife is
wearing out. She must rest from this
constant labor, or your children shall soon
be motherless."
"Don't, Martha, talk in that way!
Clara is as we'll as usual. She was always
slender and delicate. I'd gladly have
kept her in ease, but she knew she mar
ried poor man, and was willing to work
up" He was little annoyed.
81 doubt not that you have been
kind and good to her, and now that she
has helped 'work up go far, l know
you will be glad to give her vacation.
You do not realize what it is to care for
three children aud do all the work that
must be done in a farmhouse. She might
have been slender when a girl, but not
careworn. Tonight If you look at one OF
her old pictures, you will be convinced l
am right"
"Suppose ! am; what then p
"How much would it cost to send her
back to Ohio, for the winter? lean keep
house."
"Simply out of the question. She
wouldn't go anyhow, Martha"
II thought you didn't know it; but
she is as h0mesick as a child to see her
father and mother. She hasn't said 80,
she never complains, but an unutterable
longing fills her eyes, and quick tears start
when she speaks of them. Sure of your
consent and my willingness to keep house
for her, she would 60 gladly"
"And you think it would do her
good ?"
Undoubtedly, and it would be the
cheapest medicine You could give her, and
the surest. Think it over day or 80,
Nathan"
That evening Martha was not surprised
to see q startled, anxious look on her
brothers face, as he closely regarded his
wife, whenever be thought himself nnob-